Skyports and Volocopter have announced a cooperation to build the first mobile Volo-Port for air taxis. UK-based global vertiport owner and operator Skyports and air taxi pioneer Volocopter unveiled plans for the Volo-Port – the physical landing pads for so-called eVTOL (electric take-off and landing) – through stunning designs produced by internationally renowned agency Brandlab.
Ground-based vertiport infrastructure is critical to the success of future urban air mobility (UAM), including air taxi operations in congested cities. Construction of the first Volo-Port will be completed later this year. The partners plan to build it in Singapore for the scheduled public flight trials in the second half of 2019. A full-scale Volocopter vehicle is on display at the Greentech festival.
The Volo-Port prototype will:
Enable real-life testing of the full customer journey to perfect the passenger experience;
Showcase planned customer services, including pre-flight checks, passenger lounges and boarding procedures;
Allow practical testing of ground operations and services, including battery swaps and charging, maintenance, safety and security;
Provide the opportunity for authorities and industry regulators to interact with the infrastructure and provide feedback before they are asked to approve the final design.
Vertiports are the only physical infrastructure required for air taxis to commence operations in cities in the near future. Volo-Ports are designed to provide passengers with a seamless air taxi experience that is safe, secure, and relaxing. They will merge with their surroundings, allowing passengers and passers-by to see through the whole structure.
The airport was originally built for the British Royal Air Force in the late 1920s. Since then, it has been used as an air base and a civilian airport at different times across the years until Changi Airport Group (CAG) took over its management from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in 2009.
Today, Seletar Airport is Singapore’s second civilian airport, serving general aviation (such as training, medical evacuation & MRO flights) and business aviation (private jets) users. The current terminal will be torn down when the new facility opens.
The new, two-storey terminal is sited at the eastern side of Seletar Airport. It will have a gross floor area of 9,500 square metres, of which 500 square metres will be dedicated to serving business aviation passengers.
Designed for around 700,000 passenger movements per annum, the building will be significantly larger than the current terminal, which handled about 26,700 passenger movements in 2015. This will support the relocation of scheduled turboprop flights from Changi Airport to Seletar Airport upon the completion of the new terminal in end-2018.
The layout of the new terminal is dictated by clean lines and a functional design to keep the travel experience simple and efficient for all passengers. Passenger operations will take place on the ground floor, with a clear separation between the departure and arrival areas. To handle scheduled commercial flights, the departure area will have 4 check-in counters, four immigration counters, two security screening stations and a gate holdroom which can seat close to 200 passengers. Departing passengers will be able to go through check-in, immigration and security screening in a fuss-free manner via a straightforward route, enabling a quick and stress-free boarding process for passengers.
Passengers travelling on chartered business jets and private jets can look forward to a private drop-off area and a dedicated check-in area where they will be able to enjoy quick pre-departure clearance in a private and exclusive setting. The terminal will also feature amenities such a lounge area and dedicated immigration and security screening areas for these passengers.
Drawing inspiration from its lush and serene surroundings, the new terminal will sport a modern tropical look on the façade and in the interiors. The design blends warm woody tones with a theme of nature, with a landscaped garden in the middle of the terminal. Accessible from the drop-off area at the entrance, the garden will provide a calm oasis for departing passengers and well-wishers.
On the airside, passengers will be able to board their flights conveniently with 3 aircraft parking stands adjacent to the terminal. This reduces the need for passengers to be bussed, enabling greater operational efficiency and faster aircraft turnaround time. The three aircraft parking stands will be supplemented by another 60 located at the rest of the airport.
An innovative and seamless travel experience, in addition to a spectacular and spacious lounge, is what Cathay Pacific customers can look forward to when using the brand new Changi Airport Terminal 4.
The opening of Terminal 4 in end-October also unveiled a dedicated Cathay Pacific Lounge, one of the airline’s largest lounges outside Hong Kong, with seating for more than 200 customers.
Terminal 4 takes innovation to the next level by offering Cathay Pacific customers an integrated suite of self-service options, reducing queueing time and speeding up the process right through to boarding.
Passengers will be able to check-in, drop off their bag, clear immigration and board using fully automated systems, thereby ensuring a seamless, stress-free passage and allowing them greater control over how they spend their time at the terminal.
Similar in style to Cathay Pacific’s award-winning lounges at The Pier in Hong Kong, the new Cathay Pacific Lounge at Terminal 4 provides a “living room” environment of understated luxury in which eligible passengers can relax, eat and work before their flight.
Designer furniture and lighting has been carefully selected for practicality, comfort and privacy, while the use of natural materials, plenty of greenery and artworks by local artists add to the lounge’s welcoming atmosphere.
There is also a strong focus on food and beverage services, with the dining area featuring Cathay Pacific’s iconic Noodle Bar, offering a selection of freshly prepared Asian dishes including its signature Dan Dan Noodles and local favourite, Singapore Laksa.
Changi Airport Group (CAG) has announced the completion of construction for its new passenger terminal building, Terminal 4 (T4). The next stage of development will be focused on its interior fittings, as well as preparing it for operations as the terminal will open in the second half of the year.
Construction work on the new terminal, located at the southern end of Changi Airport, commenced in early 2014. In addition to the two-storey passenger terminal building, the construction involved the development of two multi-storey car parks providing 1,700 parking spaces, a two-storey taxi holding area, as well as three vehicular and pedestrian bridges spanning across Airport Boulevard to create new channels of access to T4.
A 68-metre high ramp control tower has also been constructed to enhance air traffic controllers’ management of aircraft movements in the apron and taxiways around the terminal. Completed in under three years, the T4 project involved over 4,000 workers at the peak of its construction works.
For the first time at Changi Airport, T4 will see a terminal-wide implementation of fast and seamless travel (FAST) initiatives to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency. The preparatory works in the lead-up to its opening will involve the installation and testing of key airport systems and processes including the new FAST self-service and automated options covering check-in, bag-drop, immigration clearance and boarding.
There will also be training and familiarisation programmes organised for airport staff and partners, to prepare them for operations in the new terminal.
FlightSchool.sg offers full-motion flight simulator experience & FAA Private Pilot preparation training, which involves a 12-week ground school & 20 hours of dual & solo full-motion flight simulator training. Thereafter, one may earn a Private Pilot Lisense in the USA in as little as 25 days!
FlightSchool.sg was established by a group of experienced private aviators after realising that there was a huge interest in private aviation – but the cost and timeframe required to obtain a Private Pilot License were prohibitive for many. While there are readily available options for the budding aviator: one can join a Singapore-based flying club (Seletar Flying Club & Singapore Flying Club) or even take a 45 min drive across the causeway via the 2nd link to a flying club based in Senai, Malaysia – be prepared to spend up to one year (based on once a week time commitment) before you are competent enough to take your Private Pilot check ride.
Their ground and flight preparation training program is geared towards helping one obtain an FAA (USA) Private Pilot License.
Haite has opened its first Aviation Training Centre outside of China, which is also the first major investment by a Chinese aerospace company in Singapore.
The new facility is more than 7,000sqm, and is located in the Changi Business Park. Haite has established a training base for pilots and related aviation crew, for various types of Boeing and Airbus aircrafts widely used in China and the Southeast Asia region.
The Singapore Training Center offers training on an initial set of two, 7000 Series Full Flight Simulators: B737NG and A320 plus Integrated Procedures Trainer. Five more simulators will follow thereafter. The facility spans over 21,000 sqm. on 6 stories and includes rooftop conference/dining room, rest area for special events, as well as ample underground parking.
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